Clover Mites?

I think that's what they are. Yesterday, I gathered a few pine cones for a still life photo. This morning I noticed some tiny red critters crawling on the bag the cones were in, and there's a few crawling on the pots that have my clones

These things are tiny, maybe a tenth of a millimeter across. I nailed several with my fingertip, and they leave a bright red smear when crushed. This matches the descriptions of clover mites I've read.

Are these bad news? I read so much about spider mites, but I've never seen any, so I can't compare. There is no damage to my clones, but it hasn't even been 24 hours yet.

I see those little mites all the time outside. Reminds me of mites that were on my baby iguana when I brought him home from the pet store. Not sure if they'll affect the plants or not.

I think you may be referring to velvet mites.


But that could be the same thing just a different name where you are!


I always see them on brickwork/concrete in the UK.




J

jondamon said:

I think you may be referring to velvet mites.


But that could be the same thing just a different name where you are!


I always see them on brickwork/concrete in the UK.




J

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Same thing here in the U.S., man.

Yes they can damage your plants. Treat as any other mite infestation, but they are easier to kill spider mites. Neem oil or Safer soap will do the trick

I was looking into Neem oil - I wonder if the kind you use for insecticide is the same as the kind they make South-Asian toothpaste with.

I did a little reading on velvet vs clover mites; One is a predator, the other not. They're pretty slow-moving, which make them easy to crush when I see them, but their small size and unpredictable appearances makes it next to impossible to tell which one.

Well, at least "unpredictable appearances" rather than "A Teeming Swarm" still gives me hope I can deal with it.

I've been keeping my eye on things, and they seem to have gone away. For good, I hope!